KHULNA, March 7, 2024 (BSS) - The historic March 7 was observed in Khulna city and district today, as well as elsewhere across the country, in a befitting manner.

 On this day in 1971, the great leader Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman delivered his epoch-making speech of independence at the Race Course Maidan, now Suhrawardy Uddan, in Dhaka.

The celebration of the day has attained special significance following the inclusion of the historic March 7 speech in the 'Memory of the World International Register' as a documentary heritage by UNESCO in 2017.

Khulna district administration, Khulna city and district unit Awami League (AL), its associate bodies, and many other organizations took day-long programs to mark the day.

The day began with the hoisting of the national flags atop all government, semi-government, autonomous bodies, and other establishments at around 6:00 a.m.

Leaders and activists of AL and its front organizations placed wreaths on the portrait of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. 

An 'Ananda Shobhayatra', with the participation of government officials, freedom fighters, and leaders of civil society, was brought out of the city’s Shaheed Hadis Park, and wreaths were placed at the Mural of Bangabandhu on Khulna deputy commissioner's (DC) office premises.

A discussion was held at the Shilpokola Academy auditorium in the presence of Khulna City Corporation (KCC) mayor Talukder Abdul Khaleque as the chief guest.

Chaired by the deputy director of local government of deputy commisioner’s office, Md Yousup Ali, the meeting was addressed, among others, by additional divisional commissioner Md Firoz Shah, KMP Commissioner Md Mozammel Haque, additional DIG of Khulna Range Nowroz Hasan Talukder, Superintendent of Police Sayedur Rahman, general secretary of city unit AL MDA Babul Rana, freedom fighters Md Alamgir Kabir and Sarder Mahbubur Rahman. 

Later, the chief guest distributed prizes among the winners of Bangabandhu’s historical March 7 speech delivered to children and an essay competition. A cultural program in celebration of the historic day was held. 

A video documentary on the life sketch of Bangabandhu has been screened at important public places in the city.

Khulna city and district units of AL and its associate bodies organized different programs marking the day. 

Meanwhile, Freedom Fighters, Khulna Metropolitan Police, Khulna Range DIG, Khulna Zila Parishad and different organizations paid tribute at the monument of Bangabandhu on Khulna DC office premises.

Besides, Khulna University (KU), Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (KUET), Khulna Agricultural University (KAU), educational institutions, Mongla Port Authority (MPA), West Zone Power Company Ltd, Khulna Press Club, Khulna Union of Journalists (KUJ) and different socio-cultural organisations also observed similar programmes marking the day.